Garmin gps??

I am in the market for a GPS Ihave decided on Garmin but as far as modle I'm don;t know yet. Some help please. I am going to use it for loging deer sign after hunting season for this comming year. I know I don't wont one with a recharble battery I would like to carry extra batters in my pack so if the die I can just change them out. A camera would be nice but not a deal breaker. We have dense cover here in Al early season and I don't know if a exteral antena or internal antena would work best. Touch screen or buttons????:confused::confused:

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sage5907

February 13, 2013, 09:25 PM

My first garmin was a GPS 72 and it was very accurate to within 2 or 3 yards. Although it was slow and battery life was short I could go to any deer stand in the dark. The only complaint I had was that the light switch for the display was on the off/on switch and I never could figure out how to keep the thing lighted when I was using it in the dark.

My current garmin is an etrex. It gets your location very quickly but although I've been using it for about 2 years it hasn't got my trust. It will get you to where you're going within about 50 yards. Also, I use it to locate deer stands but I never seem to trust it to do the job. I would have bet on the GPS 72 to get me to my vehicle in the dark but I'm not so sure about the etrex. I feel better in carrying a manual compass when I use the etrex. The etrex has a toggle switch to work through the screen that is easy to use.

Lloyd Smale

February 14, 2013, 06:36 AM

if your looking for a high end model check out the delorne brand. Ive got a pn60 and also a garmin 72 and prefer the delorne hands down over the garmin. It works better in heavy woods and is faster to aquire satelites. they have hands down the best maps. even our goverment uses there maps.

jmr40

February 14, 2013, 07:52 AM

I chose the Gamin Oregon 450t and plan to download more detailed maps of areas where I hunt/hike. It does eat batteries quickly. I bought 2-3 sets of rechargeables and carry some extra non-rechargeable batts as well.

I've owned/used some of the less expensive units in the past that just didn't get the job done.

tmccray45

February 14, 2013, 02:08 PM

I too have a eTrex from Garmin and find that it will take me to within 17 feet plus/minus of my actual location. I replace the batteries after every season, not because I have to, but would rather start out each season with a fresh set.

Patocazador

February 14, 2013, 05:05 PM

I have a Garmin 76 Map CS that is old tech. - no SD card capability. I have most of the Fla. topo plus the BlueChart from Tampa to New Orleans downloaded on it. If I had an SD capable model, I'd have a lot more.
They are difficult to figure out at first and are not set up intuitively but I love mine. I don't need or want a camera or a radio on my GPS so the Oregon has less appeal to me.

PS: I had an old Garmin GPS II Plus that was rudimentary compared to today's units. It had 4 AA batteries. They lasted less than 6 hrs. The 76 Map that I have only takes 2 AA batteries and they last a day so battery life has improved but still needs improvement.

avs11054

February 14, 2013, 09:28 PM

I have the Garmin 450T. It is awesome. It is accurate to within feet, if not inches.

MRH

February 15, 2013, 12:41 AM

I also have an Oregon 450t. Lots of info. Also have the 25000 topo map, which has errors in locations of towns and landmarks.

EATS batteries. Including Energizer Ultimate Lithium that last about 4 hours.

Have 2 different model etrex. Very useful. Accurate enough to find hunting locations.

Blue Line

February 15, 2013, 10:43 AM

I had an Etrex but it died, not sure what happened to it. Sent it back to garmin and they sent me a refreshed one that didnt last long, not sure what the diagnosis was on it. Ended up going through a few test drives of Garmins. I tried the high end Montana/Oregons but they were large for carrying around and yes they love batteries. Ended up going small with a Dakota 20. I can add maps, even just down load a brochure from somewhere to add to it via the chip in the back. Easy on batteries, small size, works on my bike too as a speed-o-meter/odometer. the only thing I have against it is in Bright sun there is a glare on the screen. Hasn't been a bad problem but is there.http://https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=145&pID=30926 (you can usually find it cheaper from other sources)

free maps http://http://www.gpsfiledepot.com/

Rayman1968

February 15, 2013, 12:06 PM

I also use a Garmin Oregon 450, but I subscribe to Garmins BirdsEye Satellite Imagery service ($29.99/yr). With this, I can download satellite images of the areas I'll be in. It's like having Google Earth in your pocket.

avs11054

February 15, 2013, 04:05 PM

Mrh-

What kinds of errors? I got the map pack for arizona and new mexico. I marked a water hole 2 miles from my campsite and walked right to it in the dark.

red rick

February 15, 2013, 05:26 PM

I have the Oregon 450 GPS , AlphaPower battery charger and Sanyo eneloop batteries. The batteries stay charged a long time. I used the same pair all hunting season.

308win

February 15, 2013, 06:46 PM

I have a Garmin eTrex and it is accurate enough for my needs. Easy on batteries.

matrem

February 15, 2013, 07:11 PM

My five year old e-trex Venture has been very easy on batteries, will read to within eight to twelve feet with a "full sky", and to within thirty or so feet with hills or buildings only allowing "half sky".
For less than $200, I can't complain at all.

tcrocker

February 15, 2013, 08:10 PM

Thanks guy I piced up a Oregon 450t at the local Bass Pro for 249 on sale

Patocazador

February 15, 2013, 11:10 PM

Mrh-

What kinds of errors? I got the map pack for arizona and new mexico. I marked a water hole 2 miles from my campsite and walked right to it in the dark.
There are many errors in the original US Topo from Garmin. RR tracks on the wrong side of roads, roads that don't exist and errors in location of creek channels. They have been informed of hundreds of mistakes and I thought they would correct them in their latest version. I haven't seen the latest version so I don't know if the ones around me have been corrected.

MRH

February 19, 2013, 12:55 AM

Thanks Patocazador, saves me some typing.

avs11054. Type in a small town name and see where the location shows up on the map. Several towns I use as references are not in the right place on the Garmin map. At least as far as currently occupied places. Example: Sargents, CO is currently located on US50, east of Gunnison. The Garmin map shows the location nearly 20 miles away, at the location of a narrow gauge RR watering stop, that was abandoned over a 100 years ago.

I do agree with you on spots you've marked and gone back to. Extremely accurate.

Mike

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